10 Ways Customers Can Find You Without Social Media

 I want to talk about a common concern that comes up time and time again in my Soap Suite membership, how to get your business in front of more people without relying on social media. (This is an overview taken from my YouTube video - rather watch than read? Just click here.)

Social media can be overwhelming, time consuming, and, let’s be honest, not always the most effective for sales. So, here are 10 alternative ways to increase visibility and attract customers without endlessly posting online together with a few top tips along the way to improve your chances of success.

1. Stockists and Retailers

Selling wholesale to stockists puts your products in front of an entirely new audience. If you have a clear niche, it’s much easier to align with the right stockists.

For example, my dog soaps go into dog groomers, dog friendly cafes, and independent pet shops. If your products are aimed at middle aged women dealing with menopause, then wellness stores, independent pharmacies, or boutique shops catering to that demographic would be ideal.

Make it really easy for stockists to say yes, have professional packaging, clear pricing, and reasonable minimum order quantities. Smaller shops often don’t have the cash flow to place huge orders, so starting with lower minimums can help you get your foot in the door.

2. In Person Events

Markets and fairs are a brilliant way to connect with customers, test products, and build brand awareness. They’re how many soap makers start selling because they provide immediate customer feedback.

Choose events carefully. Some will be more aligned with your brand than others. Within my community, I’ve seen people do incredibly well at events they thought wouldn’t be a good fit, while others were disappointed by events they expected to be great. Research the organiser, their promotion strategy, and the type of businesses attending.

Top tips for events

• Make your stand visually appealing and ensure it’s clear at a glance what you sell.

• Use signage to highlight key features, if your products are all goat’s milk or vegan, make that obvious.

• Offer samples to draw people in and start conversations.

• Know your numbers, if a stall costs £100, how much do you need to sell to break even?

3. Word of Mouth and Referrals

Word of mouth is incredibly powerful. While you can’t control it entirely, you can encourage it by making it as easy as possible for customers to share your business.

• Ask customers to leave reviews and offer an incentive, like a monthly prize draw.

• Include a QR code on your packaging that links to your review page.

• Use automated emails to follow up with online customers and request a review.

Social proof builds trust, and if you’re anything like me, you probably check reviews before making a purchase!

4. Website and SEO

Your website is your online shopfront, and it should work hard for you. Good SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) ensures your site appears when people search for relevant terms.

Think about what your customers might type into Google to find you. What do you want them to search for? I recently changed my focus from "dog soap" to "white label balms and salves for dogs" and updated my product descriptions, blog posts, and meta descriptions accordingly. Within weeks, I was ranking highly for "white label dog balm." Small changes can make a big difference.

Make sure your website is

• Easy to navigate with as few steps to checkout as possible.

• Clear on shipping costs and return policies to prevent hesitation.

• Full of high quality product images and detailed descriptions to answer customer questions.

5. Google Business Profile

If you haven’t set up a Google Business Profile yet, do it! It helps your business appear in local searches and on Google Maps.

You don’t need a physical shop to have one, and you can choose to hide your address if you run your business from home. Keep your profile updated with fresh photos, reviews, and product updates. Google likes active profiles.

6. Collaborations and Partnerships

Working with businesses that share your audience is a fast-track way to visibility. Potential partners could be candle makers, wellness brands, or gift box curators.

Ways to collaborate

• Swapping business cards or inserts in each other’s orders.

• Running joint giveaways.

• Featuring each other in newsletters and blogs.

• Exchanging website links (great for SEO!).

7. Press and PR

Getting featured in magazines, blogs, or newspapers can be a game changer. There are two main angles for pitching but you have to sell it to the publication. Think 'What's In It For Them?'

• Product features  Contact publications about gift guides (e.g., "Best Valentine’s Day Gifts").

• Story-based features Share your unique journey, how you started, your sustainability focus, or a personal challenge you’ve overcome.

Sending samples to influencers and bloggers can also get your products in front of new audiences. Don’t aim for huge influencers, smaller, niche ones often have a more engaged audience.

8. Pinterest and YouTube

Unlike social media posts that disappear quickly, content on Pinterest and YouTube has a long shelf life.

Pinterest is great for driving traffic to your website. Create pins linked to your blogs and products. I still get visits from pins I posted two years ago!

YouTube is another great option. People use it as a search engine, so content like tutorials, behind-the-scenes videos, or answering common questions can work well.

9. Networking and Business Groups

Building relationships with other business owners can open doors to unexpected opportunities. Join local networking groups and industry specific communities. One member of my Soap Suite has seen fantastic results just from chatting with people at networking events!

10. Subscription Boxes and Gift Sets

Subscription boxes are always looking for unique products. If your items fit a niche, eco-friendly, vegan, pet-friendly, etc., this could be a great way to get bulk orders and reach new customers and is something that has worked very well for me in the past.

You can also create your own seasonal gift sets to encourage higher spending. Limited edition products create urgency and boost sales.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be glued to social media to grow your business. These 10 strategies help you build a more sustainable and resilient brand while reaching the right customers.

Which of these will you try first? If you need more support with your business, my Soap Suite membership could be just what you are looking for. A UK based community of like minded business owners and get the tools, training, and personal support you need to grow your business with confidence.